Basic Business Phone System Information

The telephone is a device that provides connectivity between businesses, partners and clients. It is also the communication gateway for customers to easily reach the business. As a matter of fact, one of the most important tool an organization should have is the business phone system. This is a system that gives the business the ability to manage and gain full control of its telecommunication services.

Components

A typical phone system is composed of two elements: telephone set and the controlling system. A telephone set is a device that transmits/receives voice and sounds. It is usually at the receiving end of a phone system. A controlling system, on the other hand, provides the functionality. Depending on the type, a basic system usually comprised of a controlling processor, software and add-on connectivity such as PSTN card or VoIP ethernet.

Types

Because of varying business requirements, different types of phone systems were developed:

• PBX (Private Branch eXchange) – a circuit switched and premise based system that provides management and exchange between internal and external phone lines.

• Key System – a smaller premise based system that provides individual buttons for each business phone lines.

• Hosted or Centrex (Central Exchange) – a system that provides switching from the hosting provider.

• IP PBX (Internet Protocol PBX) – a system that utilizes the internet and are usually associated with a VoIP system.

Common and Advanced Features

The following are few of the most common features being offered by different service providers:

• Auto Attendant
• Call Convergence
• Call Conferencing
• Call Forwarding
• Dial by Name Directory
• Internet Fax
• Music On-Hold
• Voicemail